Nigeria: Dike's Brace Earn Falconets Victory in Friendly
BY ABU IDRISU:
US-based star, Courtney Dike hit a brace to help Nigeria U-20 women football team, Falconets, defeat the U 16 Codiac AAA boys of Moncton 4-3 in a pre world cup friendly match played at Ricky Stone, Canada on Friday.
The match which was the first the Falconets have played since their arrival in Canada last Sunday, was a part of their build up to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The College girl converted from the spot to level proceedings for the Falconets before firing home the winner later on.
The team's Media Officer, Elizabeth Carr said the Nigerian side came from behind to defeat their opponents.
"Two goals from Heritier Massimengo and Jonathan Kalulumia and an own goal from defender Ibrahim Mariam saw the U 16 Codiac boys leading by 3-0 at interval."
She said the second half witnessed a different ball game.
"Two minutes into the second half, the Falconets got a penalty that was converted by Oshoala Asisat to put the score at 3-1. The second and third goals also came through penalties that were converted by Halima Ayinde and U.S based Courtney Dike," she stated.
Carr said the decisive goal came through Dike which put scores at 4-3 in full time.
A bad game
Head coach of the Nigerian team, Peter Dedevbo said the girls were complacent in the first half.
"It is a good match for the girls, it shows a sign of players that are ready for the world. The player (Courtney Dike) from USA performed beyond my expectations. I like the game as the young boys put the girls on their toes," Dedevbo stated.
The Falconets coach who said the team has one more match with a yet to be named U-16 boys team, stressed that the match will afford him the opportunity to ascertain how balanced the squad is.
Nigeria will play Mexico on Wednesday 6th August in their first match of the World Cup.
US-based star, Courtney Dike hit a brace to help Nigeria U-20 women football team, Falconets, defeat the U 16 Codiac AAA boys of Moncton 4-3 in a pre world cup friendly match played at Ricky Stone, Canada on Friday.
The match which was the first the Falconets have played since their arrival in Canada last Sunday, was a part of their build up to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The College girl converted from the spot to level proceedings for the Falconets before firing home the winner later on.
The team's Media Officer, Elizabeth Carr said the Nigerian side came from behind to defeat their opponents.
"Two goals from Heritier Massimengo and Jonathan Kalulumia and an own goal from defender Ibrahim Mariam saw the U 16 Codiac boys leading by 3-0 at interval."
She said the second half witnessed a different ball game.
"Two minutes into the second half, the Falconets got a penalty that was converted by Oshoala Asisat to put the score at 3-1. The second and third goals also came through penalties that were converted by Halima Ayinde and U.S based Courtney Dike," she stated.
Carr said the decisive goal came through Dike which put scores at 4-3 in full time.
A bad game
Head coach of the Nigerian team, Peter Dedevbo said the girls were complacent in the first half.
"It is a good match for the girls, it shows a sign of players that are ready for the world. The player (Courtney Dike) from USA performed beyond my expectations. I like the game as the young boys put the girls on their toes," Dedevbo stated.
The Falconets coach who said the team has one more match with a yet to be named U-16 boys team, stressed that the match will afford him the opportunity to ascertain how balanced the squad is.
Nigeria will play Mexico on Wednesday 6th August in their first match of the World Cup.
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